First healthcare workers vaccinated today; hospitalizations near 110,000 — 5 COVID-19 updates

As of Dec. 13, a record 109,331 Americans were hospitalized with COVID-19, and 21,231 patients were in intensive care, according to data from The COVID Tracking Project. 

All but two states — Hawaii and Vermont — had more than 100 people hospitalized per million as of Dec. 13. Nevada had the highest hospitalization rate at 368 per million, which translates to 1 out of every 1,700 people in the state being hospitalized, according to a Dec. 13 tweet from The Covid Tracking Project.

Four more updates:

1. Frontline healthcare workers in New York became the first to receive Pfizer's vaccine today, just a day after Pfizer began shipping the first doses to hospitals Dec. 13, reports The New York Times. Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York City performed the first clinically authorized vaccination shortly after 9 a.m. EST this morning, according to the Times. Nationally, the first doses of the vaccine will reach 636 predetermined sites: 145 sites expect to receive their vaccine shipments today, and another 425 sites expect to receive their vaccines tomorrow, according to NPR. Residents of nursing homes are expected to begin getting vaccinations next week, reports the Times.

2. The White House on Dec. 13 delayed a plan to vaccinate senior officials over the next few days, according to The New York Times. The reason for the change, which President Donald Trump said he requested, is not clear. "People working in the White House should receive the vaccine somewhat later in the program, unless specifically necessary," the president wrote in a Dec. 13 tweet

3. COVID-19 safety precautions for in-person classes at public schools cost $55 to $442 per student on average, according to CDC data. The agency released state-by-state estimates of additional funds needed as a percentage of fiscal year 2018, with costs per student ranging from a mean of $55 for materials and consumables only, to $442 for materials, consumables, additional custodial staff members and potential additional transportation.  

4. The White House is rolling out a $250 million public education campaign on the COVID-19 vaccine, reports The New York Times. Overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Building Vaccine Confidence campaign is set to begin Dec. 14 with a national ceremonial kickoff event.

Snapshot of COVID-19 in the U.S.

Cases: 16,258,147
Deaths: 299,193
Recovered: 6,298,082

Counts reflect data available as of 8:35 a.m. CST Dec. 14.

Molly Gamble contributed to this report.

More articles on public health:
Number of COVID-19 hospitalizations, state by state: Dec. 14
Pfizer vaccine nears emergency approval; daily COVID-19 deaths may surpass 9/11 toll for months, Redfield says — 5 updates
23 states where COVID-19 is spreading fastest, slowest: Dec. 14 

 

Snapshot of COVID-19 in the U.S.

Cases: 16,258,147
Deaths: 299,193
Recovered: 6,298,082

Counts reflect data available as of 8:35 a.m. CST Dec. 14.

Molly Gamble contributed to this report.

 

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